looking for trainer in kent or south east

Louilou · looking for trainer in kent or south east

I'm muddling along training on my own these days. Still the basic obedience stuff. I could do with finding a 1-2-1 trainer to help me. Ideally someone who's a positive reinforcement trainer. Grey's LLW training is still a nightmare. I've now got a copy of Helen Phillips Clicker Gund Dog this week so am working to that. But I seem to have been lead training Grey forever now. I sometimes see an improvement, but it's a long hard slog.

tashap

I don't know a gundog trainer this way that uses clicker but there are some good trainers locally.

Louilou

Hiya, Thanks for the reply. I missed it. Do you think there are trainers who don't use clickers but do use positive reinforcement? Ideally I need to find someone who doesn't use collar checks etc.

Thanks

Lou

tashap

we all use slip leads and you can choose how you want to correct your dog. Does he/she have a neck problem???

Louilou

No, he doesn't have a neck problem. I don't give corrections and work with reinforcement. Unless waiting, standing still or redirection are corrections?

What kind of corrections do people use?

tashap

think it best you go along to a couple of the classes and see if they are for you, josie may be able to help you with other local clubs that will be more to your liking.

Louilou

Thanks for that.

Lou

Greyghost

Lou, the slip leads are not the metal ones they are the rope gundog slip leads.

Louilou

Thanks Les,

He wouldn't be able to walk on a slip lead yet anyway as he's still being trained not to pull. Unless this is something the course would teach?

Lou

tashap

the lead shouldn't make any difference its the method used that teaches heel work, but most of the classes cover the basics teach you to walk before you can run.

Louilou

Thanks. I just didn't want him to strangle himself while he's learning. I thought I was supposed to learn on a flat collar if he's pulling to the end.

Lou

tashap

only difference a flat collar will make is that he'll strain into it leaving a bigger gap at the neck than at the front. Again its not the tool that teaches the dog to heel its the method. Some use stop and start, some use change of direction (this is very effective if your timings right) others use a pull on the lead, it depends what works for you and for your dog.

Simplest is the change direction each time he pulls you do a turn so that he gets used to following you and not the other way around, you change the pace from pigeon steps to very quickly to make it more interesting but its your training and consistancy that makes it work or not.